Consumption Rate of Energy Drinks among Kabul University Students: Caffeine Contents and Microbiological Examinations of their Available Varieties at Kabul City

Abstract

Energy drinks (EDs) have gained popularity as a beverage all around the world, but as their usage has grown, questions have been raised concerning their high caffeine concentration and potential for microbial contamination. The objective of this study was to evaluate EDs. consumption rate among Kabul University students, the determination of caffeine contents, microbiological quality, and pH of EDs available in Kabul City. 184 Kabul University students were selected using simple random selection to assess the types, amounts of consumption, and awareness about the side effects of EDs. The caffeine levels in EDs were quantified using a UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The EDs were cultured in various culture media for microbiological studies. 23 of the 184 students were regular users of EDs. The mean concentration of caffeine was 277.43 ppm with an SD of 137.49 to 143.10. The EDs had no microbiological contamination, and their pH ranged from 2.64 to 3.64. 12.5% of the students regularly used EDs, Caffeine levels in all of the evaluated EDs were below recommended levels, and none of them contained any bacteria contamination.